Whitby looked up, mild interest on his face.
It was now quite light, and the others, following his gaze, saw a huge Fokker monoplane flying low against the grey sky.
‘He’s out early,’ remarked Prenderby.
‘Yes,’ said Whitby. ‘There’s an aerodrome a couple of miles across here, you know. Quite near my house, in fact.’
Martin pricked up his ears.
‘Your house?’ he echoed.
The little doctor nodded.
‘Yes. I have a small place down here by the sea. Very lonely, you know, but I thought it suited my purpose very well just now. Frankly, I didn’t like the idea of your following me and it made my friend quite angry.’
‘Hullo! He’s in difficulties or something.’
It was Prenderby who spoke. He had been watching the aeroplane, which was now almost directly above their heads. His excited cry made them all look up again, to see the great plane circling into the wind.